Automotive relay of the hold-in type

Abstract

A hold-in type of automotive relay which when actuated by a first switch controlled exciting current closes its normally open relay contacts and a second switch magnetically connected to said relay and the source of current. The contacts of the second switch remain closed even after the first switch is opened and until such time as the current passing through the second switch is interrupted.

I claim: 
     
       1. An automotive relay structure of the hold-in type comprising: a relay unit having a ferrous core and a relay winding on said core; a movable armature fastened to said core and carrying a movable core part and having a relay contact on the free end thereof; an insulate base rigidly supporting said relay unit on one face of said base; at least five rigid terminal members extending from said face through said base to provide male terminal members extending beyond the other surface of said base; one of said terminal members being a load terminal carrying a stationary contact disposed in normally open, spaced relationship to said movable contact on the free end of said armature, another of said terminals being a battery terminal which is connected to said armature, another of said terminals being a switch terminal connected to one end of said relay winding and to an external switch; a normally open flux responsive reed switch having current and flux conducting leads extending therefrom, one of said leads being rigidly connected to still another of said terminals which is an ignition terminal, and the other of said leads being connected to said switch terminal; and means supporting said reed switch within the influence of a magnetic field generated by said relay winding whereby a momentary closing of an external switch connects said switch terminal to said ignition terminal which energizes the coil and effects a closing of said relay armature contact and said load contact, and simultaneous closure of said reed switch responsive to flux generated by the relay winding thereby simultaneously connecting the reed switch between said ignition terminal and said switch terminal through said reed switch contacts until the battery is disconnected from said ignition terminal or ground removed. 
     
     
       2. A relay structure according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the reed switch leads is physically located in close proximity to the relay core. 
     
     
       3. A relay structure according to claim 2 wherein said one reed switch lead has a magnetic flux sensitive portion aligned with the direction of magnetic flux generated by said winding.